ESPN and WWE announced Wednesday they have agreed to a deal for the new ESPN direct-to-consumer streaming service to become the exclusive U.S. home of WWE Premium Live Events, including “WrestleMania,” starting in 2026. WWE produces 10 PLEs each year — all will stream on ESPN‘s $29.99 a month direct-to-consumer platform, which is scheduled to […]
ESPN and WWE announced Wednesday they have agreed to a deal for the new ESPN direct-to-consumer streaming service to become the exclusive U.S. home of WWE Premium Live Events, including “WrestleMania,” starting in 2026. WWE produces 10 PLEs each year — all will stream on ESPN‘s $29.99 a month direct-to-consumer platform, which is scheduled to launch Aug. 21.
According to Alex Sherman of CNBC, ESPN will pay an average of $325 million per year for five years of U.S. rights to WWE PLEs. NBC Universal’s Peacock, which has streamed WWE PLEs since March 2021, paid $180 million over five years for the package, per Sherman’s report.
“WWE’s agreement with ESPN is a pivotal moment for our millions of fans across the United States: the leader in sports entertainment partnering with the biggest brand in sports media. Bringing WWE’s flagship events to ESPN’s platform is tremendously exciting,” WWE president Nick Khan said in a statement. “We know the sky is the limit.”
WrestleMania, which launched in 1985, is WWE’s biggest show of the year. The now two-day event is returning to Las Vegas and Allegiant Stadium in 2026. “Royal Rumble,” “SummerSlam,” and “Survivor Series” round out the “Big 4” of WWE PLEs.
“WWE has an immense, devoted and passionate fanbase that we’re excited to super-serve on our new ESPN DTC platform,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said. “This agreement, which features the most-significant WWE events of the year, bolsters our unprecedented content portfolio and helps drive our streaming future.”
ESPN makes another big acquisition
In 2024, WWE signed a 10-year, $5 billion deal with Netflix to stream its flagship show “Raw” every Monday night. The first Raw on Netflix aired Jan. 6, 2025. The streaming service will continue to stream marquee WWE events outside the U.S.
“SmackDown,” meanwhile, which airs each Friday on USA Network, will continue to stream on Peacock. That deal expires in 2029, CNBC reported.
Tuesday, ESPN officially announced a deal to acquire NFL Media – including NFL Network and RedZone. The NFL would also receive a 10% stake in ESPN. Additionally, NFL.com fantasy football is set to merge with ESPN Fantasy. In addition to RedZone, the NFL will also own and operate NFL Films, NFL+ and NFL.com, among other properties.
ESPN will also license three NFL games per season on NFL Network as part of the deal. ESPN‘s overall NFL schedule will adjust, shifting four games to NFL Network, which will still air seven games each year.
Category: General Sports
